Ngc Mint State
What Coins Should I Collect?
What Coins Should I Collect?
By Robert L Taylor, JD
You should collect what you like and enjoy. This is Your Dream. Design it any way you want.
Never-the-less, . . . decide on Foreign coins or US Coins; and Proof or Mint State. If US, then decide upon a Denomination: penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, dollar or other.
Or, decide upon a particular Period in History, e.g.: Morgan Dollars (Lady Liberty, Following Civil War), Peace Dollars (Following WWI), War Time Cents (Steel and Shell Casing – WWII), War Time Nickels (Silver – WWII), Silver quarters and dimes pre 1965; Statehood Quarters; 20th Century; 19th Century.
Or decide upon an Historical Figure; Kennedy Half Dollars (Following his death), Lincoln Cents; Washington Quarters; Franklin Half Dollars; Eisenhower Dollars, Susan B Anthony Dollars, Roosevelt Dimes; Sacagawea Dollars. You can also choose Type Sets, Year Sets, Mint Sets, Proof Sets and Decades.
The Next Step is to decide upon the Quality of coin you want to collect. Your choices are: a) pocket change; b) bank rolls; c) US mint and proof rolls and sets (new and used); d) Buy from Coin Shows and Clubs; e) Buy on the Internet; f) Buy from coin dealer; g) Buy from coin magazine or ad. Each has their benefits and advantages. Pocket Change and Bank Rolls provide Circulated coins. The US Mint provides Uncirculated “Mint State” and “Proof” coins.
The Internet provides the Greatest Selection from private Web Sites, e.g.: www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com to the big Auctions like eBay, Yahoo, Heritage and TeleTrade. And With the advent of PayPal.com (free) it becomes very quick and easy to pay for purchases over the Internet and by Phone.
The one thing that is important in all of the above choices is the Grade of the Coin, which is closely related to Value (a topic for another article). But which leads to the next choice: Buy Slabbed or Raw? Raw coins are what you find in pocket change. Slabbed coins are those that are Professionally Certified and Graded by an Independent Third Party. The coin is then placed in a “slab”, made of plastic, identified, labeled and sealed. It actually takes 3 Professionals to decide upon the Grade of a Coin. If Buying Raw Coins, You need to Know How to Grade a Coin. Even then, there will be Disputes about the Grade. When Buying a Slabbed coin, You Know the Grade. The Grade Becomes Virtually Undisputable! All references to Price in any resource are Based on Grading, which follows the Guidelines set by the ANA American Numismatic Association. Currently, there are only Four Companies that are Recognized for Strictly following these Guidelines: PCGS, NGC, ICG and ANACS. It is from these Professionals that one should buy slabbed coins. Buying Slabbed Coins is the First Rule of Serious Coin Collecting.
Obviously, one will be very limited in the years, mints, and varieties available from pocket change and bank rolls – both being local in nature. Even if starting with these means of collecting, always keep an open mind about other resources. So, a little future insight helps to decide that better resources will yield better coin collections. Most collections will span a greater range of years, than either pocket change or bank rolls can possibly produce. It is therefore imperative to investigate other resources.
Your Budget will usually determine the Grade of coin that you can afford to collect. MS63-MS65 is an Ideal range for collecting, not only because of the excellent condition and detail of the coins, greater availability, lower costs, and because coins in this range tend to Appreciate faster than other Grades. There item is very simple, and it has to do with the quality of the coin or how much you want to Spend per Coin – for an average coin, for an exceptional coin, or a perfect coin. Your budget will usually determine this factor, or, how much per month you can spend (per month?) for your new Investment. Never doubt that Coin Collecting is an Investment. Although it is easy to overlook the amount of time spent on this Endeavor because two of the main ingredients are Pleasure and Enjoyment. Confucius Say:
“If you enjoy what you are doing, you will never work another day in your life.”
Think of it as a Fund. You are trading Money for . . . Money that Grows and Gives Pleasure! Properly attended, this Fund can quite possibly put someone through college.
Lastly, decide whether to collect all of the coins in your Group including varieties and errors or just the Regular Issue Coins. Errors and Varieties can become extremely expensive and difficult to find. Most people will avoid them.
This Concept of “Trading Money for Money” is critically important because most people shy away from spending a little more, just to get the best. And I am talking about the best in quality of coin, no matter what the Grade or Price. In other words, get a Coin with the Grade it is Supposed to Have. This is the Only way to be sure of the Value of the Coin. Spend your Money Wisely. Get what you pay for. Until you become a Professional at Grading, rely on the Professional Graders. Whether you choose to collect Kennedy Proof Half Dollars, or Jefferson Nickels from pocket change, thanks to the Internet, you will find a huge selection available, on many different web sites, to give your Coin Collecting efforts a boost. Internet Web Sites will Forever Change Coin Collecting! Why? Because Top Quality Coins can be easily Bought and Sold by any body – since they are Slabbed!
Always Know Your Grade!
Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright 2006, Robert L Taylor, JD
About the Author
Robert Taylor is a 59 year old retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who spent most of his career representing people who could not afford an attorney, and who has had a passion for collecting US coins. Wanting to share his Passion, he created http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com which features US Rare and Modern Dollars (from 1878) and Coins (from 1960), all Certified and Graded by NGC or PCGS.
For Beginning Coin Collectors, he then created http://www.Beginning-Coin-Collecting.Com
|
|
2000 P MINT STATE VIRGINIA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2000 D MINT STATE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2000 P MINT STATE MARYLAND STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
1999 P MINT STATE PENNSYLVANIA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $25.00 |
|
|
2003 STATE QUARTERS MINT CANCELLED BU NGC – LOT OF 5 $21.50 |
|
|
2005 US MINT STATE QUARTERS PROOF SET NGC PF69UC $59.95 |
|
|
2006-P Franklin Scientist $1- NGC Mint State 70 – MS70 $63.50 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE MICHIGAN STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 66 RD $9.00 |
|
|
NGC Mint State 69 1995S Olympic Basketball Commem. $39.99 |
|
|
NGC Mint State 69 1992D White House Comm. $69.99 |
|
|
1921 NGC GRADED MINT STATE 64 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR $35.00 |
|
|
1886 NGC GRADED MINT STATE 63 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR $35.00 |
|
|
1884-O NGC GRADED MINT STATE 63 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR $35.00 |
|
|
2007-P NGC GRADED MINT STATE 70 JAMESTOWN COMMEMORATIVE $65.00 |
|
|
2007 US MINT STATE QUARTERS PROOF SET NGC PF69UCam $59.75 |
|
|
CHINA PANDA,2008 NGC MINT STATE 70 THE PERFECT COIN $170.00 |
|
|
CHINA PANDA,2008 NGC MINT STATE 70 THE PERFECT COIN $170.00 |
|
|
1994 CHINA S10Y “UNICORN” MS69 NGC, RARE MINT STATE!!! $41.00 |
|
|
1999-P Georgia State Quarter Coin NGC Mint State 66 $65.00 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE FLORIDA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE IOWA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE ROOSEVELT DIME NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2005-D West Virginia State NGC Mint State MS 69 SMS $200.00 |
|
|
2007-W Silver Eagle EARLY RELEASE ! NGC Mint State 69 $59.99 |
|
|
Caracalla 198-217 AD Silver Denarius NGC Mint-State 4/5 $395.00 |
|
|
1991-1995 P COMMEMORATIVE WW II 50c NGC MS69_MINT STATE $29.95 |
|
|
2006-P Ben Franklin Scientist Coin NGC Mint State 69 $60.00 |
|
|
2000 P MINT STATE SACAGAWEA GOLDEN DOLLAR NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
1945-D NGC MS66RD LINCOLN WHEAT CENT★HIGH MINT STATE 66 $29.99 |
|
|
1957 Franklin Half NGC Mint State 66 $49.95 |
|
|
1987 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $41.95 |
|
|
1989 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $41.95 |
|
|
1995 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $48.95 |
|
|
1996 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $89.95 |
|
|
1986 $50 GOLD EAGLE NGC MS70 MINT STATE MS 70 RARE COIN $2,195.00 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 67 RD $15.00 |
|
|
2000 P MINT STATE JEFFERSON NICKEL NGC MS 67 6FS $250.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE MICHIGAN STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $11.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE FLORIDA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $11.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE TEXAS STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $11.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE IOWA STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $11.00 |
|
|
George Washington NGC Mint State 65 Mint error dollar $89.95 |
|
|
2001 D MINT STATE NORTH CAROLINA QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2000 D MINT STATE SOUTH CAROLINA QUARTER NGC MS 67 $11.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE MICHIGAN STATE QUARTER NGC MS 68 $16.00 |
|
|
1992 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $44.95 |
|
|
1993 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $41.95 |
|
|
1994 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $49.95 |
|
|
NGC Slabbed 1909 VDB Mint State 66 Red Rare High Grade! $779.95 |
|
|
2007-P Satin Mint Set – State Quarters – MS-66 NGC $29.99 |
|
|
1996-S Swimming Half Dollar 50C NGC Mint State 69 $125.00 |
|
|
2007-D Satin Mint Set – State Quarters – MS-66 NGC $29.99 |
|
|
NGC Mint State 67 2001-P New York State Quarter Coin $26.99 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE KEELBOAT NICKEL NGC MS 66 $11.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE HANDSHAKE NICKEL NGC MS 66 $11.00 |
|
|
2008-S MINT STATE~BABY CHICKS HALF~NGC~CERTIFIED MS-70 $42.00 |
|
|
2007 $5 MS70 NGC EARLY RELEASE PERFECT MINT STATE MS 70 $199.99 |
|
|
1889 Morgan Bar Wing NGC Mint State 65 VAM 5A 1 of 4 $6,000.00 |
|
|
1991-1995 P COMMEMORATIVE WW II 50c NGC MS69_MINT STATE $39.89 |
|
|
1976-D Type 1 Eisenhower Dollar NGC Mint State MS 65 $50.00 |
|
|
1948, NGC Mint State 65 Full Bell Lines, FRANKLIN $140.00 |
|
|
1954,NGC Mint State 65 Full Bell Lines, franklin $195.00 |
|
|
1909 VDB MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 66 RD $395.00 |
|
|
MINT ERROR 2003-P NGC MS64 BROADSTRUCK ARKANSAS STATE $49.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE SACAGAWEA DOLLAR NGC MS 67 PROOFLIKE $30.00 |
|
|
1945-D Mecury Dime NGC Mint State 66 STUNNING COIN! $52.00 |
|
|
1996 Silver Eagle NGC Mint State 69 KEY SILVER EAGLE ! $129.95 |
|
|
2006 W Silver Eagle MS70 NGC Mint State 70 *Burnished* $182.00 |
|
|
2007 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $43.95 |
|
|
1999 P MINT STATE DELAWARE STATE QUARTER NGC MS 67 $40.00 |
|
|
1944 P Walking Liberty Half NGC Certified Mint State 65 $149.99 |
|
|
CHINA PANDA 1989 10Y,NGC MINT STATE 69 .999 ASW 1 oz $125.00 |
|
|
2004 D MINT STATE SACAGAWEA GOLDEN DOLLAR NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
1992 D White House S$1 MS69 Mint State NGC $48.00 |
|
|
1992 D Olympics S$1 MS69 Mint State NGC Nolan Ryan $43.50 |
|
|
1994 D World Cup 50C Half MS69 Mint State 69 NGC $44.00 |
|
|
1996 D Smithsonian S$1 MS69 Mint State NGC $175.00 |
|
|
1999 D MINT STATE CONNECTICUT STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $11.00 |
|
|
1955 JEFFERSON Nickel 5c (NGC Mint State MS 65) $39.99 |
|
|
Morgan Mania! 1878-S Morgan Silver $ NGC Mint State 64 $110.00 |
|
|
2008 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $39.95 |
|
|
1960 D MINT STATE SMALL DATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 64 RD $18.00 |
|
|
1960 MINT STATE LARGE DATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RD $18.00 |
|
|
1963 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RD $21.00 |
|
|
1965 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RD $27.00 |
|
|
1968 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RD $21.00 |
|
|
1971 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 64 RD $17.00 |
|
|
1971 D MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 64 RD $13.00 |
|
|
1974 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 66 RD $40.00 |
|
|
1974 D MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RD $19.00 |
|
|
1975 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 63 RED BROWN $13.00 |
|
|
1975 D MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 65 RED $19.00 |
|
|
1961 MINT STATE LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 64 RD $16.00 |
|
|
2001 VERMONT STATE QUARTER NGC CERTIFIED MINT-STATE 65 $8.54 |
|
|
1996 $5 AGE Gold Eagle NGC Mint State MS70 $1,499.99 |
|
|
2004 P MINT STATE TEXAS STATE QUARTER NGC MS 66 $9.00 |
|
|
2004 P&D MINT STATE MICHIGAN (2) COIN SET NGC MS 67 $21.00 |
|
|
2002 Mint State $1 American Silver Eagle NGC MS-69 MS69 $41.95 |
